lowden



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

` G. LOWDBN.

Veloopede. No. 288,882. Patented' oct. 26, 1880.

' 5 am 92M- Jil'y.

N.PETRS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPMER. WASHINGTDN, D. c.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. G. LOWDEN. Velooipsde.-

No. 288,882. Patented ocr. 26, 1880.

WIW' WENTD- M2 'elaowrdlz,

//u/ 55% MVM @Nieren STATES PATENT Ormea@ GEORGE LOWDEN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

VELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 233,682, dated October 26, 1880.

Application filed March 4, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE LowDEN, of the city of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Velocipede's, which invention is fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had toI the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements upon the velocipede for which Letters Patent of the United States were granted to me October 26, 1869, No. 96,128, in which the power is applied to the rear axle, through the medium of a ratchet-wheel mounted thereon, by means of two pawls operated by the weight of the driver alternately brought to bear upon the pedals and the saddle of the vehicle.

In the drawings, Figure l representsa perspective View of my improved velocipede. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of the same with portions broken away to show the driving mechanism. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view, showing a portion of the driving mechanism, looking at the rear of the vehicle. Fig. 4 represents a detached view, showing the means of securing the driving-wheels to their axle; and Fig. 5, a detached view, showing the ratchet-wheel and the pawls for driving the saine in detail.

In the drawings, the letter A indicates lthe forward wheel, and the letters B B the rear wheels, of the vehicle, the forward wheel being mounted in a steering-post, O, which carries a brake, D, and which, preferably, is inclined toward the rear of the vehicle in such manner that the upper end will approach the saddle, (indicated by the letter E.)

The letter F designatesthe rear or driving axle, and G a reach whereby this axle is connected to the steering-post O. The saddle is connected to the reach by an arm, H, which is secured to said reach by means of a pivot, a, in such manner that the saddle is adapted to move in a vertical plane.

Theletter I indicates a ratchet-wheel mounted rigidly on the driving-axle F, and b c two pawls extending to the front and rear of the periphery of the ratchet-wheel, respectively, and adapted to alternately engage the ratchets thereof, as more fully hereinafter explained. These pawls b c are pivoted, respectively, to

the arms J' J, which are mounted loosely upon the drivin g-shaft at opposite ends of the ratchet-wheel I, and to each of these pawls are pivoted the lower members, 7c k', ofthe compound levers K K', the upper members of which, k2 7c3, are pivoted to a bracket, L, secured to the rear part of the saddle E, so that both the pawlarms connect with the saddle through the medium of said compound'levers K K'.

Below the driving-axle Fis located a transverse rod, N, secured at its end to hangers 0 O, depending from the reach G, and to said rod are pivoted the angle-levers R R', the forward ends of which carry the foot-pieces d, which are preferably adjustable. The rear ends of said levers extend upward at the rear ofthe axle F, and are pivoted to a transverse bar, S, connecting the lower ends of the bars Q, which are pivoted to their upper ends to the bracket L of the saddle E.

The letter l) indicates an arm secured to the cross-piece N, the upper end of which extends forward of the axle F, and is pivoted to the lower end of a lever, P', the upper end of which is pivoted to the bracket L. rlhe members 7c and It' of the compound levers K K are connected to the levers P P' and bar S by means of the links e c'.

The arms l? and P' and angle-levers R and R', with the connections by which they are secured to the saddle, form two toggle-levers, one on each side of the driving-axle, which operate the levers K K' through the medium ot' the links e e', before mentioned.

When the weight of the rider is brought to bear upon the saddle E, the two toggle-levers are spread away from each other, bringing the forward ends of the angle-levers `R R' to an elevated position, and if the weight of the rider is then thrown on the foot-pieces the toggle-levers move back or toward each other, the saddle being thereby elevated.

In both of the movements referred to the toggle-levers act on the pawl-arms J J', to os cillate such arms on the axle F, the pawls of the respective arms operating alternately to engage the ratchet-wheel and move itin the same direction, giving a continued forward movement to said ratchet.

The letters t t indicate two stops, one secured to or forming part of each pawl-arm J IOO and J', projecting inwardly from each arm, so as to meet at each half-rotation of the said paWl-arms and limit the movement ot the same and the operating mechanism.

The rear Wheels, B B, are mounted loosely in the driving-axle F, and each carries a pawhj, engaging a ratchet-wheel, 7c4,h'xed on the driving-axle, as shown in Fig. et. The teeth ot' this ratchet-Wheel extend in a suitable direction to act on the pawl j, and cause the respective wheels B B to revolve with the driving-axle in the forward movement ot' the axle, and at the same time allow the pawls to travel over the ratchets it' the wheels turn in a forward direction independently ot' the axle, so that it' the vehicle is moved forward without heilig occupied the driving-gearing may remain stationary.

Another advantage gained by this arrangement of Wheels is, that when the vehicle is turned that wheel which is outermost in the circle through which the vehicle moves can revolve faster than the other, thus materially facilitating the turning.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The combination, with the stationary post C, the rear or driving axle, F, carrying the fixed ratchet-Wheel I, the reach G, and a saddle having a pivotal connection with the 3o reach, ot' the oscillating arms J J', each carrying a pawl adapted to alternately engage the ratchet-wheel, the compound levers K K, the shafts N and S, and the toggle-levers connected to the levers K K by means of the 35 with stops, substantially as described, and 4o their pawls, in combination with the ratchet- Wheel I, axle F, and driving-gear adapted to operate said pawl-arms, as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I 45 have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24th day of February, 1880.

GEORGE LONDEN.

Witnesses:

W. HAUFF, GHAS. WAHLERs. 

